Look! Bernie Sanders To Co-Sponsor Marijuana Justice Act

Back in 2016 when Bernie Sanders was running for President, he made history by supporting marijuana legalization. He continues to advocate for ending the War on Drugs, and today he is back in the news as he recently announced that he will co-sponsor Marijuana Justice Act. The Act will aim to promote social justice through legalization and was introduced by New Jersey Senator Cory Booker back in August. Since then Representatives Barbara Lee and Ro Khanna have co-sponsored the House version.

The act has four major elements. It would legalize marijuana on the federal level, retroactively clear all marijuana-related federal convictions, allocate $500 million for job training in communities affected by the War on Drugs and cut law enforcement funding for states that arrest a disproportionate number of people of color. Marijuana Majority leader Tom Angell stated: “This is the single most far-reaching marijuana bill that’s ever been filed in either chamber of Congress.” Twenty-seven legislators are co-sponsoring the bill, with New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand also announcing her support.

Sanders has long advocated for prison reform, and his co-sponsorship of the Marijuana Justice Act comes as no surprise. Interesting news and a possible step towards legalizing marijuana on a national level. Speak your thoughts below and keep it locked here for much more on this coming soon.